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Biographical Note

Walter Donald Bowles was born in Seattle on December 28, 1923. He received his B.A. in Economics from the University of Washington in 1949. Bowles went on to receive a Masters in Economics in 1952 and a PhD in Economics in 1958 from Columbia University. In 1952, Bowles studied at the Russian Institute and received a Certificate in Soviet Economy.

Bowles’ career as an economist began in 1953 with his appointment as editor of a Research Program on the USSR in New York City. After working for several years as an economist, Bowles became a professor of economics at American University in 1957. Bowles switched his focus to administration in 1965 when he became Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. In 1969 he was promoted to the post of Vice President of Academic Affairs. Bowles returned to teaching economics in 1974. Bowles retired from teaching in 1994 to live in California with his family.

For additional biographical information, consult the Who’s Who Listing for Walter Donald Bowles.

Scope and Content Note

Bowles’ papers document his teaching and administrative work at American University and consist of budgets, correspondence (personal & professional), curriculum development materials, financial documents, newspaper clippings, publications, reports, research files, statistics, and teaching materials. The original chronological order was retained. The files have been divided into subject categories within each year.

Box & Folder Listing

Box 1

Education & Career of W. Donald Bowles

1949-1952

Department of Economics – Reports

1955

CAS Material

1957

Department of Economics – Student Correspondence

Faculty Meeting Minutes & AU Reports

1958

Department of Economics – Student Correspondence

1958-1960

AU Reports & Personal Correspondence

Soviet Timber Industry Documents

1959

Department of Economics – Student Correspondence

1960

American Maritime Industry Report

Department of Economics – Student Correspondence

Newspaper Clippings

1961

Department of Economics

Papers & Correspondence

Student Correspondence

1962

Department of Economics

Papers & Correspondence

Student Correspondence

Institutional Self-Study of the College of Arts & Sciences by the Middle States Association